Chapter 4: Shadows in the Wards
Tali'Zorah nar Rayya moved silently through the narrow alleyways of the Citadel's Wards, her steps light and calculated. The Wards, bustling with activity during the day, took on a more sinister character at night. Neon lights cast eerie glows over the darkened streets, and the usual hum of commerce and conversation was replaced by an uneasy stillness. Shadows danced on the walls, the occasional flicker of a malfunctioning light casting fleeting glimpses of figures lurking in the darkness.
Her sleek, form-fitting suit, a blend of dark purples and blacks, allowed her to blend seamlessly into the shadows. The hood of her suit covered her head, her glowing eyes the only visible feature through the mask's visor. Tali moved with the grace and precision of someone who had spent years navigating the narrow confines of starships and the treacherous corridors of space stations.
The recent order for all Quarians to return to the Migrant Fleet had thrown the already tense situation on the Citadel into chaos. Tali knew that remaining on the station was risky, but she had unfinished business. There were things she needed to uncover, secrets that could change the fate of her people.
She darted down an alleyway, her senses on high alert. Her omni-tool flickered to life, casting a soft orange glow as she accessed the encrypted files she had managed to acquire. The information was fragmented, but it hinted at a conspiracy that reached far beyond the destruction of the Turian dreadnought. She needed more evidence, something concrete to bring before the Council.
Tali's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps approaching. She pressed herself against the wall, blending into the shadows. Two figures emerged from the darkness, their conversation barely audible.
"We need to move quickly," one of them said, his voice low and urgent. "The Council is getting suspicious. We can't afford any mistakes."
The other figure nodded. "Agreed. The Quarians are becoming a liability. We need to eliminate the evidence before they find out."
Tali's heart raced. She had to follow them, find out what they knew. As the figures moved on, she slipped from her hiding place and followed at a safe distance. Her training and instincts kept her silent, her footsteps barely a whisper on the cold metal floor.
The figures led her through a labyrinth of corridors and hidden passages, finally stopping at a heavily guarded door. Tali watched from the shadows as they exchanged a few words with the guards before being allowed inside.
She waited for a moment, her mind racing with possibilities. Whatever was happening behind that door was critical. She needed to find a way in. Her omni-tool flickered again as she began hacking into the door's security system. It was a complex lock, but her skills were up to the challenge. After a few tense moments, the door slid open with a soft hiss.
Tali slipped inside, her senses on high alert. The room beyond was dimly lit, filled with computer terminals and holo-projectors displaying various schematics and data streams. The air was thick with the hum of machinery and the soft murmurs of voices.
She moved deeper into the room, her eyes scanning the information on the terminals. It was a treasure trove of data, but she needed something specific. Her fingers flew over the controls, downloading as much as she could onto her omni-tool.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached, and Tali ducked behind a console. The two figures from earlier entered, their conversation continuing.
"We need to delete these files," one of them said. "The Quarians must never find out what really happened."
Tali's heart pounded. She had to act quickly. She activated her omni-tool, sending a virus into the system to corrupt the files. It was a risky move, but she had no choice. As the virus spread, the screens flickered and went dark.
The figures swore, their attention diverted. Tali used the distraction to slip back out of the room, her pulse racing. She had what she needed, but getting off the Citadel would be the real challenge.
She moved quickly through the corridors, her mind focused on the task at hand. The information she had gathered was vital, but she needed to get it to the right people. The fate of the Quarian people depended on it.
As she reached the docking bay, Tali paused for a moment, her eyes scanning the area for any signs of pursuit. Satisfied that she was in the clear, she approached her ship. Just as she was about to board, a voice from behind stopped her in her tracks.
"Going somewhere, Quarian?"
"Keelah..." Tali spun around to see the two figures from earlier, flanked by the guards. They had found her. Her mind raced, looking for an escape route, but the guards had her cornered.
The lead figure stepped forward, a cruel smile playing on his lips. "You really thought you could just walk away with our secrets? How naive."
Tali's hand tightened around her omni-tool. "You're making a mistake. You don't know what you're dealing with."
The second figure laughed. "Oh, we know exactly what we're dealing with. A Quarian spy, trying to play hero. But your game ends here."
Tali activated her omni-tool, ready to defend herself. But before she could react, the guards moved in, their weapons trained on her. She was outnumbered and outgunned.
The lead figure's smile widened. "It's over, Quarian. You're coming with us."
Tali's heart sank as the guards closed in. She had failed. The information she had risked everything to obtain would never reach the Migrant Fleet. As they restrained her and led her away, she could only hope that someone else would uncover the truth and save her people from the impending disaster
Admiral Han'Gerrel vas Neema stood on the bridge of his ship, the Neema, his eyes fixed on the void of space outside the viewport. The tension on the bridge was palpable, every crew member acutely aware of the precarious situation they were in. The Migrant Fleet was surrounded by Citadel forces, with fifteen dreadnoughts encircling them, and five of those targeting the precious liveships that housed the bulk of their civilian population. The show of force was meant to intimidate, and it was working. Han'Gerrel's frown was so deep that it seemed it would breach his visor, his frustration and determination clearly visible despite the opaque shield.
Han'Gerrel had volunteered to stay behind, ready to sacrifice himself and his ship if necessary to ensure the fleet's escape. The weight of that decision hung heavily on him, but he was resolute. He and the other admirals had agreed to play politics for now, hoping to buy enough time to secure their position and find a way out of this mess. Han'Gerrel, however, had never been a fan of playing politics. Standing on the bridge, even with insurmountable odds, was more to his liking than dealing with those Council blowhards. The endless discussions and backroom deals made his skin crawl, but it was a necessary evil.
He had been opposed to this from the start. His first response was to power up weapons and use the heavy fleet as cover for the rest of the fleet to escape. But the four other admirals had insisted on diplomacy. Not only were there 500,000 pilgrims unaccounted for, but 750 ships were on a trading run. The Turians had demanded all of the admirals to join the Citadel, but they had managed to refuse the demands and stay with the Migrant Fleet. He was the first to insist that escape was the smart option. But no, they had chosen to negotiate, leaving them vulnerable and surrounded.
They were surrounded while they were at their most vulnerable. The timing was too perfect to be a coincidence. Someone had orchestrated this, and the Quarians were the scapegoats. The fleet was in the midst of mining for element zero, a critical resource for their ships, when the Turians had appeared. The operation had left them exposed, their defenses spread thin, making it the perfect moment for an attack.
He glanced at the comm panel, waiting for word from the other admirals. The constant vigilance and the stress of the unknown were taking their toll, but there was no room for hesitation or doubt.
"Admiral, no updates from the Citadel fleet," one of his officers reported, breaking the silence.
Han'Gerrel nodded, his expression grim. "Keep monitoring. We need to be ready for anything."
The officer acknowledged and returned to his duties. Han'Gerrel's thoughts drifted back to the recent events. The Turian dreadnought's destruction had been a catastrophe, one that had thrust the Quarians into the spotlight and painted them as the primary suspects. The accusations had come swiftly, leaving little time for the Quarians to mount a proper defense.
The admiral's gaze hardened as he looked out into space. He would not let his people be used as pawns in someone else's game. They had survived too much to be brought down by a plot they had no part in.
"Admiral," a voice came through the comm, breaking his reverie. It was Admiral Raan. "We're ready for the next step. We need to discuss our strategy moving forward."
"Understood, Raan," Han'Gerrel replied. "The situation is unchanged. I will continue to monitor the Council fleet. Be careful." He looked at the Destiny Ascension, hardening his gaze. "Be careful."
As he closed the comm and took a deep breath, Han'Gerrel prepared to steel himself for the challenges ahead. He cast one last look at the stars outside, the familiar yet distant constellations that had guided the Quarians through their longjourney of exile. The future was uncertain, but he was determined to navigate through it with the same resolve that had carried the Quarians through centuries of hardship.
He walked to the viewscreen, his gaze fixed on the vast expanse of space and the intimidating presence of the Citadel fleet. "We will survive," he whispered to himself, his voice filled with unwavering determination. "No matter the cost."
Back in the depths of the Citadel, Tali'Zorah found herself roughly handcuffed to a bulkhead pipe in a dimly lit room. About twenty guards surrounded her, a mix of Turians, Batarians, and Asari commandos. Their gear and demeanor indicated they were mercenaries, not official Citadel forces. Her heart pounded as she assessed the situation, knowing she had to find a way out.
A Salarian with a cold, calculating gaze approached her, examining her with detached curiosity. "What have we here?" he mused aloud, his interest piqued.
One of the guards stepped forward. "We caught her downloading and sabotaging data in one of the warehouses. She's a Quarian spy."
The Salarian's eyes narrowed with interest. "Impressive. Quarians are known for their technical skills, but to evade our security... She must be quite resourceful."
Before Tali could respond, the Salarian's omni-tool beeped, drawing his attention. He activated it, revealing a holographic call from an unknown Turian.
"Report," the Turian commanded, his voice authoritative and impatient. Tali could have sworn she knew that voice.
The Salarian straightened. "Saren, we've apprehended an intruder, a Quarian. She was attempting to steal data and sabotage our operations." Tali's eyes widened at the name.
Saren's eyes narrowed. "Interesting. What progress have you made on the operation?"
"We've secured most of the assets, but the genetic samples are still being processed. The delay is due to the increased security measures; refinements are due in about two days," the Salarian explained.
Saren's expression darkened. "I need those samples. Ensure there are no further delays. And find out what the Quarian knows."
The Salarian nodded. "Understood. We'll extract the information from her."
The call ended, and the Salarian turned his attention back to Tali. His expression was a mix of curiosity and cold determination. "It seems you have valuable information. Let's see how much you're willing to share."
Tali's mind raced. She needed to find a way to escape before they could extract anything from her. The fate of her people depended on it.
The Salarian leaned in closer, his eyes cold and calculating. "You're going to tell me everything you know, Quarian." The Batarian guards moved closer with suggestive grins.
Tali glared at him through her visor, her resolve unbroken. "You can try, but you won't get anything from me."
The Salarian smirked. "We'll see about that."
He motioned to one of the guards, who stepped forward and roughly grabbed Tali's arm, forcing her omni-tool hand into view. The Salarian began manipulating his own omni-tool, interfacing with Tali's to extract any data he could find. Tali felt a jolt of pain as the process started, but she gritted her teeth and endured it.
As the extraction continued, Tali's mind raced. She couldn't let them have the information she had gathered.
A loud crash interrupted the room. A large door went flying into three guards, leaving them unconscious.
A hulking frame stepped inside, stretching as he entered. The Krogan filled the doorway with his massive size, a predatory grin spreading across his face as he surveyed the room.
"Looks like I crashed the party," the Krogan growled, his voice a deep rumble that seemed to shake the very walls. He cracked his neck, each vertebrae popping audibly, then flexed his massive muscles. He looked around at the frozen room. "Ahh, Asari commandos. This is just the kinda playdate I wanted." He slammed the hammer's hilt to the ground, sending a shiver through the more cowardly guards.
The guards woke from their stupor and formed up between the Battlemaster and Tali.
The Krogan's grin widened. "Who's first?" he taunted, taking a step forward. The roomerupted into chaos as the guards opened fire, but the Krogan charged through the hail of bullets, his thick hide and armor absorbing the impacts. He spun his hammer in front of him, deflecting some bullets before swinging his hammer and pulverizing three Turians and two Batarians. Then he stepped forward, rising up the hammer and crushing a third Batarian's skull, killing him instantly. Blood pooled on the floor. Commandos jumped back and fired shotguns towards his face, but he twisted his hammer in the path of the bullets before they could hit his face. The Battlemaster burst into maniacal laughter, his grin wide.
"This is what I live for!" he roared.
Tali seized the opportunity. With the guards distracted, she activated a hidden subroutine in her omni-tool, sending a surge of energy through the handcuffs. They snapped open, freeing her.
The Salarian saw her move and tried to intervene, but Tali was faster. She delivered a swift kick to his midsection, sending him sprawling. She grabbed a weapon from one of the fallen guards and turned to face the remaining mercenaries.
The Krogan was a whirlwind of destruction, his hammer swinging with bone-crushing force. Tali fought alongside him, her shots precise and deadly. Together, they made quick work of the mercenaries.
As the last of the guards fell, the Krogan turned to Tali, his grin never fading. "Hmm, who are you, Quarian? You seem to be able to take care of yourself."
Tali shook off her fatigue and cautiously stepped forward. "Tali'Zorah... Th... Thank you for the help. I thought I was finished for a while there," she said.
The Krogan frowned and spun the blood off his hammer. He looked into Tali's eyes and said, "I didn't come for you. I came for some genetic samples." He looked at the cowering Salarian in the corner.
Tali frowned and said, "Thanks anyway." She shook off the rude behavior due to him saving her life.
The Krogan strode over to the Salarian, towering over him. "You," he growled, his voice dripping with menace. "Where are the genetic samples?"
The Salarian trembled, his eyes wide with fear. "I-I don't know what you're talking about," he stammered.
The Krogan's eyes narrowed, and he raised his hammer menacingly. "Don't lie to me, Salarian. I don't have time for your games. Tell me where they are, or you'll wish you had."
The Salarian swallowed hard, his mind racing. "I swear, I don't know! I only handle the security! The samples are with the head scientist, Dr. Solus. He's the one in charge of the project."
The Krogan glanced at Tali, then back at the Salarian. "Where is this Dr. Solus?"
The Salarian hesitated, then spoke quickly, "He's in the main lab, two levels up. But it's heavily guarded. You'll never get in there without a fight."
The Battlemaster's grin returned. "Good. I was hoping for a challenge." He turned to Tali. "You coming, Quarian? Or are you gonna run back to your fleet?"
Tali straightened, her resolve hardening. "I'm coming. The information I have is too important. And it sounds like our goals might align... I have a name, you know!"
The Krogan nodded approvingly. "Alright then. Let's move."
As they prepared to leave, the Salarian spoke up again, desperation in his voice. "Wait! You can't just leave me here! They'll kill me!"
The Krogan paused, considering the plea. Then he grunted, "You're lucky I don't have time to waste on you." He looked at Tali. "What do you think? Should we bring him along, or leave him to his fate?"
Tali looked at the trembling Salarian, weighing her options. "We might need him. He could have more information."
The Krogan nodded. "Fine. But if he tries anything, he's dead."
The Salarian nodded frantically. "I won't! I promise!"
The Krogan grabbed the Salarian by the collar and hauled him to his feet. "Then let's go. Lead the way to this lab, and don't try anything stupid."
Tali moved closer to the Krogan. "By the way, what's your name?"
The Krogan chuckled, his grin widening. "Urdnot Wrex. And you better keep up, Tali'Zorah. Things are about to get interesting."
As they moved out, Tali and Wrex kept a vigilant eye on their surroundings, ready for whatever might come next. The fate of the Quarians and the secrets of the genetic samples were now intertwined, and together, they would uncover the truth.
A/N
DoctorEvil61: For sure, man. I will increase the number to 34,812 people, minus the lost crew from the Resolute, Freedom, and Light of Hope.
predator1701: Yeah, maybe you are right. I haven't actually decided on the quantity of ships at the time. I used a good variety to reflect the standard fleet, although I will take your recommendation. Thank you for providing me with the information. :) Stay well, my friend.
If you please, guys/gals, I would take some recommendations on the type and class of ships that have been lost. Also, some ship names of the remaining UNSC vessels are welcome.
I work till late tomorrow, so I don't think I will be able to post a new chapter until Saturday. Till next time.